What's Working in Character Education

Introduction: What is Character Education?

As all teachers know, an educator’s job extends far beyond simply instructing children in reading, math, or science. A teacher plays a major role not only in the academic development of a student, but also in her development as a person. If your goal is to turn a child into a healthy, well-adjusted and happy adult, then you must also do your best to instill good character traits in your students. Good character is essential for success in all aspects of life, from career to social relationships.

Character Education in Schools

Why teach character in schools? Isn’t that the parents’ job?

As the old adage goes, it takes a village to raise a child. Children are shaped and influenced by everything they encounter, not just the lessons they get at home. “We have kids for an inordinate amount of their time,” says Character Education Coordinator for Duval County Schools in Florida, Deborah Hansen. "Character education begins in the home, and once they come in the school doors it’s important for us to support those lessons."

Indeed, many teachers feel that character is a key part of their duty as educators. Dr. Hal Urban, a teacher, author and motivational speaker on character, says, “Education has always had a dual mission. One of them was to increase knowledge, and the other one was to help them develop their character and become good and productive citizens.”

Standards vary when it comes to character education, but many states encourage such programs and provide resources, partnerships and support for their school districts. Check your state’s department of education website to find out exactly what the policies are. The U.S. Department of Education also supports character education through the Office of Safe and Drug-Free schools. The Partnerships in Character Education Project Program offers grants for school districts to design and implement new programs; for more information, go to www.ed.gov/programs/charactered/index.html.

What’s Working in Character Education?

Character education is a great idea, but certain factors should be considered in order to create the most effective program possible. Professionals who have developed their own programs point to several essential components.

A Schoolwide Approach

One of the key requirements for a good character education program is a commitment from everyone involved. Students need a consistent, clear message about the importance of good character from every teacher and staff member they meet throughout the day in order to fully internalize the lessons. “It simply cannot be one person talking about a ‘Trait of the Month.’ It simply cannot be the counselors taking the kids who are well-behaved on a field trip,” says Arlene Hummel, counselor specialist for the Clark County School District in Las Vegas. The school must instead show students that character matters in all aspects of education.

The best way to coordinate staff is for the school leadership to make character education a priority, says Hummel. Urban echoes that sentiment; “It always starts with the principal. The administrator in charge, number one, has to be respected by the rest of the staff. Number two, that person has to be really enthusiastic about it and sell it to the rest of the staff.”

When the principal sells it, the teachers and staff must also buy into the program in order for it to be successful. It is critical for teachers to send a consistent message about character and to constantly reinforce it—and that’s most easily done when all teachers understand how important their program is. Role modeling good behavior is also crucial. “If we’re going to expect students to model certain character traits, then we have to model the same things,” Michelle Belisle, K-12 crisis counselor for Richland School District in Wisconsin points out.

Staff training is vital. Administration should provide training days, seminars and resources so that everyone grasps the goals of the program and can send the same positive message to children. “We have brought in guest speakers for our counselors and we’ve made it mandatory that they attend,” says Hummel. Training sessions can also help by suggesting class activities and showing teachers how to weave character discussions into the daily routine. Make sure the training is ongoing by arranging for teachers to meet periodically to discuss strategies and swap ideas for creatively integrating character lessons.

Integrate, Integrate, Integrate

The last thing teachers need is another standard lesson in an already crowded day. The good news: The best way to teach children about character is to integrate it into existing lesson plans. Hummel suggests adding a character component to other subjects; for example, a history teacher can hold a class discussion about character traits shown by historical figures and an English teacher can have students write a story or essay featuring certain traits. “Kids are talking about that trait without having a formal lesson on it. It becomes more meaningful,” she explains.

Integrating character into every subject reinforces its importance for students, driving your message home with added force. Hansen urges staff to make character “part of the conversation” among everyone in school. “That’s the most effective way because then the students understand that it’s important from one end of the day to the other.”

Above all, character education should be enjoyable, not an extra burden on you. You’re probably already teaching basic character to your students; it’s just a matter of making your lessons more explicit. “Most teachers do this naturally,” Hansen points out. “It’s just a matter of being intentional and making sure that you make those connections for kids.”

Measuring Progress

It’s a great idea to track your character education program’s effectiveness, identify successful aspects, and revise weaknesses. Your progress should be tied to the goals you set out in the planning stage—look for the specific accomplishments you hoped to make and discuss ways to measure those indicators.

One way to gauge the impact of your program is through before-and-after surveys for teachers and staff. Conduct your first survey before you implement the program to find out how staff members feel about students’ behavior; issue the same survey after a semester or a year has passed to see how responses have changed. Do teachers see improvement in the classroom atmosphere? Have grades gone up?

Another way to check on your program’s effectiveness is to examine discipline statistics. Many schools that start character education programs report a reduced number of detentions, suspensions, and other disciplinary actions. How about other indicators of character, like coming to class on time or completing homework assignments?

Supplemental Materials

There are all kinds of materials you can use to help teach students about good character. Not all the character education materials you find will be high quality or effective, so take care when you decide which materials to use. You can start by adding an element of character education to supplies you already have.

“I would start with the materials they already have, such as literature books,” Hansen advises. “Many schools do a book of the month—why not have that book be character-based?” You can bring this concept to life in individual literature classes by discussing character themes found in the books you’re already reading. Social studies and history teachers can do the same thing by talking about character traits displayed by historic figures. With a little creative thinking, character lessons can be added to just about any topic.

Character videos can also be very useful. “A good video promotes discussion,” says Urban, so choose ones that will spark lively conversation in class. Think about your program’s goals and look for videos that match. You have lots of choices when it comes to video programs; LearnKey has recently released a seven part series on character called Managing Emotions

You can reinforce the lessons you teach in class with some visible, fun reminders for the halls, cafeteria, gym, and even student desks and backpacks. Hummel’s Las Vegas district provided posters, workbooks, pencils, and t-shirts to promote its character education program. Hansen adds that signs, banners, and character slogans “printed on everything” added to the team atmosphere in her county. A character resource center in the library, dramatic plays or presentations, or even an outdoor curriculum of team-building activities, like Hansen’s county designed, can enhance your classroom lectures too.

Building Healthy, Happy Children

You’ve already seen how character traits like honesty, responsibility, perseverance and empathy pay off in school, work, and personal life—this is your chance to help your students develop the qualities that will allow them to shine as they enter the real world. “Without those fundamental traits that make up good character, a person’s success rate is really diminished. It’s important that we come right out in the open and say these things are important and we’re going to help you learn these things and incorporate them into your life,” says Gary Schwartz, guidance counselor at Wisconsin’s Richland Middle School.

A great character education program in your school will make a difference in your students’ lives. Not only are you taking charge of their intellectual development, you are also nurturing the character guidelines that will empower them to succeed as they grow. The planning, discussion and creativity required to teach children about character are well worth the effort; though your students will leave your class and your school, the rewards of good character you helped instill in them will endure.

Media Resources from LearnKey, Inc.

Bullying: You Don’t Have to Take it Anymore
Emotional Self Control: Do You Have it?
Expressing Anger: Healthy vs. Unhealthy
Hurting with Words
No Excuses: Sexual Harassment
Stressed Out: Stress Management 101
Violence in our Schools: Over the Edge

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